German workforce grew in 2017 by most in 10 years: Data

Fireworks explode in front of the skyline with the financial district during New Year's celebrations in Frankfurt, Jan. 1. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

BERLIN (Reuters) — Germany's workforce expanded last year by the most in 10 years, data showed on Tuesday, underlining the strength of a labour market that has helped consumption overtake exports as the main driver of growth in Europe's largest economy.

The workforce grew by 638,000 last year, an increase of 1.5 percent, to hit a record high of 44.3 million, the Federal Statistics Office said. It was the largest yearly increase in 10 years.

The office attributed the rise to more foreigners finding work in Germany, where a growing number of economic sectors are suffering from labor shortages. An increasing number of women and senior citizens are also finding work, the data showed.